This Month's Worship in Churches Uniting in Central Sutton
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This Month’s Worship in Churches Uniting in Central Sutton Sunday 3 September 9.00am St N Holy Communion (BCP) 10.30am SBC Morning Worship Revd Mike Dales September 2017 Trinity Morning Worship Communion Dear Readers, Revd Dr David Dickinson St N Morning Worship Fifty years ago a song by Cavaliere and Brigati spent a few weeks near the top of the American hit Holy Communion parade. Five years later David Cassidy took the 6.30pm St N CUCS United Service song to number 1 in both America and Britain. The lyrics of the song’s chorus are:- How can I be sure? Sunday 10 September In a world that's constantly changing, 9.00am St N Holy Communion (BCP) How can I be sure? . I'll be sure with you. 10.30am SBC Morning Worship Communion Revd Mike Dales The phrase, “constantly changing”, has played on Trinity Morning Worship my mind lately. Change is the one guaranteed Revd Dr David Dickinson constant in life. I had cause to reflect at a recent golden wedding anniversary celebration that even St N Morning Worship what we think is immune to change, such as the 6.30pm St N CUCS United Service institution of marriage, is the subject of persistent change. Everything changes. Sometimes this results in people seeking refuge in Sunday 17 September the church as a place that never changes. But they 9.00am St N Holy Communion (BCP) are mistaken: the Church does change! Often subtly 10.30am SBC Morning Worship and imperceptibly, but, occasionally, suddenly and irrevocably. Those of us who belong to a Reformed Trinity Morning Worship tradition might describe this as being reformed and Revd Dr David Dickinson always reforming. Early next month, when we next St N Morning Worship gather for united morning worship we will celebrate Holy Communion the great reform that took place in the sixteenth 6.30pm St N CUCS United Service century, giving birth to our Protestant traditions, when we mark the quincentenary of Martin Luther’s initial protest against the Catholic Church. Sunday 24 September Working in the church I cannot help but remember T S Eliot’s poem entitled ‘The Hippopotamus’ 9.00am St N Holy Communion (BCP) comparing that creature with the Church. Both are 10.30am SBC Morning Worship Communion weighty things, Eliot says, one actually heavy, the Revd Mike Dales other full of theological substance. Although the Trinity Morning Worship Communion hippo looks lazy, wallowing in mud all day, at the Revd Dr David Dickinson end of the poem it is the hippo, not the Church, that St N Morning Worship ascends to heaven. The poem, full of comic images, Holy Communion is a sophisticated allegation that the Church is ripe 6.30pm St N CUCS United Service for reform. And, yes, it always will be. It is slow and lumbering. Turning it, changing it, is as arduous as turning an ocean liner. Yet, I am conscious that change is afoot in our own churches, so the assurance I want to offer in this month’s pastoral letter is that, though the world is constantly changing (and that may trouble us), we can be sure with God. for help or information please contact Revd Mike Dales (Sutton Baptist) 07952 231723 [email protected] Revd Dr David Dickinson Revd Dr David Dickinson (Trinity) Office: 020 8643 6884 Home: 020 8643 0963 [email protected] Revd Justine Middlemiss (St Nicholas) 020 8642 3499 [email protected] News from the Carolyn Graham recommends…… Churches In Memoriam Chatley Semaphore Tower near Wisley in Surrey has an interesting history dating back to the Revd John Joseph Napoleonic Wars and is just one of the places we John Joseph died on 27 June aged 67 and over have visited as part of the monthly outings organised thirty current and past members of Trinity attended by Deborah and John Wroe his Thanksgiving Service at Redhill URC on 18 July. John was URC Minister at Trinity from 1981- The outings are open to all and cover a range of 1992 and was committed to the ecumenical vision interests eg bluebells at Gatton Park; the history of that was then known as The Four Churches. He Morden Park house and mills, the museum of preached a social gospel and was always involved London etc. Each is well planned and entrance is in the wider community, serving in many hospital usually free or at a minimal cost so the only outlay is chaplaincies and as Mayor’s Chaplain. John had a travel unless you have a freedom pass!. If you have wonderful rapport with people of all ages, and stood considered joining us but there hasn’t been anything alongside them with kindness, understanding and that has interested you let Deborah and John know and they will investigate. warm humour. Pamela Ford Forthcoming visits are advertised in Unite! and via your local Church notice sheets so why not give it a Pam Forde was a long standing member of try. The outings are a great way to get to know the 9.00am congregation at St Nicholas and a members of other fellowships and learn a little more member of the World Community of Christian about your local area. Meditation. She led many silent meditation and spirituality groups and forged strong ecumenical The next outing is on: Sunday 3 September to the and interfaith friendships. Museum of the Order of St John and although this is short notice (but it has been publicised in our churches) you could join the group after morning St Nicholas Church service at the back of Trinity. is a Grade II listed parish church. It was built For more information contact John and Deborah between 1862 and 1864 Wroe ([email protected] or 020 8642 in the Gothic style with 9064). dressed flint and stone dressings. It was designed by the architect, Edwin Nash. The present structure John Dawson’s Commissioning Service incorporates a medieval piscina and monuments All are invited to a Sutton Methodist Circuit Service from the previous church on the site. on Sunday 10 September at 5.45pm at Epsom The Churchyard also contains the Gibson Methodist Church. John Dawson, a Methodist Local Mausoleum which is itself a listed monument. The Preacher and member at Trinity will be church will host an exhibition that explains some of commissioned as Lay Pastor at Cheam Methodist the history, traditions and legends that surround the Church. We pray for John as he begins his new tomb. ministry. It will be open as part of Heritage Open Days on: Coffee and Craft Thursday 7 September 9.00 -15.00 Saturday 9 September 9.00 -13.00 Have you tried Coffee and Sunday 10 September 9.00 -13.00 Craft? The next meeting will take place at 10.00am in the Ride and Stride Saturday 9 September Terrace Room at Trinity on – Friday 15 September and will The annual Ride and Stride for Surrey Churches be an introduction to felt work Preservation Trust will be taking place on Saturday and new members of the 9 September. The object is to raise funds to be used group will receive a warm for the maintenance of our valued places of welcome. Come and hone old skills and learn new Christian worship. This event also ties in with the ones! Contact Deborah Wroe for more information: Heritage Open Weekend so many buildings will be 020 8642 9064 deb.wroe @btinternet.com open to the public that are not usually so. Ride and Stride is a great way to visit some of these sites; Profiles raise funds for a worthwhile cause (both St Nicholas and Trinity have benefitted from grants in the past) This month we are profiling two young women who whilst improving your own physical, spiritual and have started new careers. The editor of Unite! Olwen mental wellbeing. Edwards ([email protected] 020 8643 There will be an all day ride available from Nonsuch 2525) would love to hear about other young people Park along with shorter rides. Please contact within the CUCS community who have a story to tell, Carolyn Graham (SBC) on 0208 642 3584 if you are who have been involved in an interesting project or interested in joining one of the rides or view the are making a difference in their church, school, local website: www.rideandstrideuk.org area. Please get in touch! Regular Events Devotions All members of CUCS are warmly Psalm 23 an adaptation welcomed at these activities The Lord is my Friend, ever by my side. He is my Protector, Teacher and Guide. He gives, not all I want, but all I need Christian Meditation Groups are not meeting To faithfully follow him in word and deed. at the moment. He offers rest, refreshment and renewal- Saturday Prayer Meeting (Ist and 3rd Saturdays) Physical, mental. emotional and spiritual. 10.00am - 11.00am at Sutton Baptist Church. He skilfully guides through confusion and strife, He gives meaning, purpose and direction to my life St Nicholas’ Mothers’ Union usually meets on the first Wednesday of the month in St In tough times, he protects and takes away my fears, Nicholas Community Hall. All are welcome. In rough times he comforts and wipes away my tears. Contact: Janet Little 8715 6843 He’s quick to discipline when I go astray, But he’s always with me, he will never go away. Women in Touch (WIT) meets fortnightly on a Monday at 10.30am at different venues, to When others condemn or mean things are said, enjoy a variety of activities including coffee, He’s the Defender who comes to my aid.